“Pitchers and catchers report” is much more exciting as a concept than in reality.

Those four words conjure images of spring, of shorts and short sleeves, cacti and palm trees, bats and balls, summertime and sunshine.

Reality is a line to be weighed, forms to fill out and saying hi to the boss. Report date is just that, reporting for duty — but not necessarily performing any duties.

That's what Tuesday will be for the Cincinnati Reds. Pitchers and catchers will report. Wednesday they will actually work out. In the end, it's a baseball practice. It's not too exciting, but the symbolism is.

As a team, there are plenty of questions for the Reds, but this edition of “Three Up, Three Down” will focus on just those four words and two positions — pitchers and catchers.

Three Up

1. Competition for the rotation

As it stands, there's one open spot in the rotation. That seems odd...

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